هذا التقرير متاح أيضًا بـ العربية
“Today is the largest Jordanian-Syrian ministerial meeting in history,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said on April 11-12, 2026, during a joint conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, held in the capital, Amman.
During the conference, the signing of ten agreements and memorandums of understanding between Jordan and Syria was announced, covering the sectors of energy, water, media, and tourism, in addition to other vital fields.
The relationship between Jordan and Syria is a close one, bound by long-standing historical ties, and this was not the first instance of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. Their cooperation began with the 1953 agreement on the division of the Yarmouk River’s waters, followed by a number of agreements, including the 2001 Al-Wehda Dam agreement on the Yarmouk River for the fair sharing of water, leading up to the agreements signed last April. In this context, Noon Post spoke with researcher and political writer Ahmad Qasim.
Ahmad Qasim is a Syrian researcher and political writer, and a member of the House of Arab Journalists in Turkey. He is known for his interest in the affairs of the Syrian revolution and current events, and he frequently appears on political talk shows to present his readings and analyses.
How do you assess the nature of Syrian-Jordanian relations? And what is the nature of Syrian-Jordanian cooperation?
In terms of international relations and the nature of communication between the two sides, there is divergence, but it is a positive divergence rather than a negative one, and it can be built upon to achieve the two countries’ shared interests.
As for the nature of Syrian-Jordanian cooperation at present, it is based on intersecting interests and confronting regional challenges politically and economically.
What motives have driven Syria and Jordan to cooperate at this particular time? Is this cooperation linked to regional circumstances? And what interests are the two sides seeking to achieve?
The reason behind this rapprochement at the present time, in addition to the fraternal ties between the two countries, lies in the existence of shared regional and border-related files, including the relationship with the “Zionist entity,” which has come to threaten everyone’s existence in the region, in addition to the Iranian militias that threatened Jordanian national security many times during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, as well as fears of incursions by cross-border Shiite militias, all of which calls for full security coordination between the two sides.
The two sides seek to achieve comprehensive cooperation, but the Syrian side faces challenges, foremost among them economic crises, and if they continue, they will have negative repercussions for Jordan. Therefore, we see both sides moving toward unifying efforts in a way that serves their shared interests, whether to resolve these challenges or mitigate their consequences.
The Jordanian-Syrian water platform was launched. How important is this platform in relation to the agreements?
The issue of the Jordanian-Syrian water platform surpasses, in terms of importance, the matter of fuel or even Jordan’s security challenges, which is why it was among the most prominent items agreed upon directly. This agreement may help ease the water crisis facing the Kingdom, even if only partially.
How does Syrian-Jordanian cooperation contribute to improving the electricity situation in Syria?
Jordan has been a pioneer and advanced in the field of electrical energy, and therefore the Syrian side seeks to benefit from Jordanian expertise in the fields of solar, wind, and hydropower.
Are there security or political challenges that could hinder the continuation of this cooperation?
It is only natural that there are security or political challenges that may pose an obstacle to this cooperation, but we see that President Ahmad al-Sharaa and His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein are always seeking to consolidate and strengthen the relationship between the two countries and restore its fraternal character. This overcomes many obstacles and limits the impact of external machinations or mistakes resulting from regional challenges and new alliances, especially after the fall of the Assad regime.
How have these agreements affected the region and neighboring countries? Has their impact been positive? And is it possible that other countries may join these agreements?
Syrian-Jordanian rapprochement is based on the principle of mutual benefit between the two sides. Accordingly, the Syrian side seeks for its Jordanian brother to serve as a conduit for conveying its vision to regional countries, foremost among them the Arab states. In return, Jordan seeks to benefit from Syria’s stability, given the positive impact this would have on various security aspects, in addition to achieving economic gains.
What are the differences between Syrian-Jordanian relations during Bashar al-Assad’s rule and the relationship under the current Syrian regime?
Syrian-Jordanian relations during the rule of Hafez al-Assad and Bashar al-Assad were, in many instances, based on blackmail and demographic pressure on the Jordanian interior, indirectly and sometimes directly, through the drug trade.
What is the fate and future of these agreements?
The fate of these agreements is like that of any other international agreements, so long as the parties remain committed to them and no party violates their provisions. I believe it is very important for both sides to ensure the success of these relations, given the great benefits they carry for both peoples and governments.
